Pioneer today announced the mid-range, yet extremely capable Elite SC-LX501 Network AV Receiver. The $1,000 7.2-channel, 80-watt per channel (all channels driven) home theater receiver features all the latest audio/video standards including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 4K/60p/4:4:4 upscaling/pass-through, HDR/BT.2020, and a high grade 384 kHz/32 bit DAC (AK4458) produced by AKM. It supports Spotify, Pandora, and TIDAL for streaming music. Plus, built-in Google Cast allows your mobile device to cast your favorite music to your receiver, just like Chromecast Audio. The multi-zone feature supports powered ZONE 2 output.
Acoustic Set-Up
Pioneer makes it easy to set up the perfect surround sound environment with its Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC). With the custom microphone, the system automatically compensates for differences in speaker size, level and distance, and equalizes response.
As an innovative solution for the phase lag between the subwoofer and the main channel speakers caused by the network filter, Phase Control compensates the delayed bass to improve sound synchronization, making low sound more dynamic, while delivering clear reproduction of sound in the middle as well as high frequency bands.
The new Reflex Optimizer feature was designed to maximize object-based audio reproduction with Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers and generate the best sound experience from stand alone and/or add-on speakers, allowing you to fully enjoy the latest 3D, immersive sound technologies.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Support
The latest Dolby Atmos object-based audio technology creates a three-dimensional sound field that reproduces the movement of sound. This unprecedented realistic sense is achieved by adding information on the movement of sound, including positional information and timing as metadata, producing a rich and immersive surround-sound space. In addition, DTS:X will be supported through a firmware update this Fall at no cost.
HDR and 4K
The SC-LX501 supports 4K/60p/4:4:4 24-bit video signal transmission with HDCP 2.2 technology, ensuring compatibility with the many upcoming UltraHD (4K) sources and televisions. So when you’re ready to upgrade your visual experience, your audio experience will also be ready.
Pioneer’s “Super Resolution” which was developed for the company’s Elite BDP-88FD Blu-ray player has been integrated in the SC-LX501 to allow the picture quality of a 4K video signals through the upscaling of HD-quality content.
In addition, the SC-LX501 is prepared for the next generation video standard HDR (High Dynamic Range) and BT.2020. HDR is a technology that expands the maximum brightness of video. HDR technology is used in the next-generation Blu-ray standard to expand the maximum brightness from 100 nit to 10,000 nit. BT.2020 is a video format standard that covers a wide color space more than twice that of the BT.709 standard currently used in Blu-ray and other formats.
Google Cast
The SC-LX501 is Google Cast ready (firmware update required Fall 2016) so you can use your mobile device to send your favorite music, radio, or podcast to your Google Cast compatible speaker or Chromecast Audio. You can control the audio from anywhere in the house using Cast-enabled apps running on your personal device—iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Android phone and tablet, and Windows laptop, and Chromebook.
Multi-Room Audio
The SC-LX501 has a Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line Out and will support FireConnect by BlackFire Research a stable wireless protocol that mirrors any audio source connected to the receiver—from vinyl to streaming audio—on an optional FireConnect compatible speaker(s) in another room. The optional FireConnect compatible Wi-Fi speaker(s) to be released in late 2016.
Internet Radio and Online Music
Enjoy a limitless flow of music, sports, talk, and news entertainment from internet radio stations and on-line music services, including Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, TIDAL, and DEEZER (currently not available in the US).
High-Fidelity Networked Audio
Through a Wi-Fi connection that supports dual band 5 GHz (11a/n) and 2.4 GHz (11b/g/n) which provides transmission with fewer interruptions, high-fidelity high-resolution sound sources can be accessed wirelessly. Music can also easily be enjoyed through Bluetooth wireless technology and AirPlay.
Hi-Res Audio Support
In addition to high-resolution sound source (192 kHz / 24-bit) in FLAC, WAV, AIFF and Apple lossless file formats, DSD (2.8/5.6/11.2 MHz) — sound is reproduced by PCM, and Dolby TrueHD files are supported, giving you the ability to play a wide array of high-resolution sound sources.
Price and Availability
The Pioneer Elite SC-LX501 will be available for $1,000 during July 2016. A firmware update is expected Fall 2016 to enable all its features. Like all 2016 Elite A/V receivers, it comes with a three-year warranty.
